On May 9th, 2025, in Limassol, on 28th October Street, an event was organized by the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots writes the Community of Ukrainian-Cypriot Friendship. The Russian Center for Science and Culture in Cyprus, and the Russian Embassy in Cyprus. During this event, Russian participants openly displayed:
Weapons or objects resembling weapons, posing a clear threat to public safety.
Flags of the unrecognized “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DNR), an entity not recognized by the international community and involved in armed conflicts.
Banners with portraits of Vladimir Putin, who is currently under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes.
Despite these clear violations of public order, the Cyprus Police, specifically Sergeant 70, did not intervene to prevent the display of these symbols.
In stark contrast, the police confiscated banners and posters from Ukrainian activists and their supporters who were peacefully protesting against the event. This selective intervention blatantly violates the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as guaranteed by Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The complaint has been officially submitted to the following authorities:
Cyprus Police Headquarters
Internal Affairs Service of Cyprus Police
Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) of Cyprus
Ministry of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus
European Commission Representation in Cyprus
Embassy of Ukraine in Cyprus
We demand full transparency and investigation of police actions, as well as explanations for the tolerance of war symbolism and the targeted suppression of peaceful demonstrators.
Sincerely,
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Ksenia Mukhortova
President of the Community of Ukrainian-Cypriot Friendship
